Chicago Occupied / Voice of the Iraq Vet #1

"Chicago Occupied"

Our friends at Labor Beat in Chicago sent us this piece, about a street theater-style action where members of Iraq Vets Against the War, dressed in battle gear, did a mock patrol, sweeping up and mistreating Chicago civilians in the same style they did in Iraq. This action was modeled after a similar action by Vietnam Vets Against the War, done in the early 1970s, during the US invasion and occupation of Viet Nam, (the "RAW March," which we have archival footage of, and hope to put on a future "Indymedia Presents" episode, for its historical interest). Much like VVAW of yesteryear, IVAW has played an important role in opposing the US presence in Iraq, as well they should. Nobody knows the horror of the American presence better than its victims, the Iraqi people, but their voice is not at all present in the American discourse on the war. Next to the Iraqis, the American soldiers who have served in Iraq have the most to say and IVAW has been a strong voice, trying to alert the American public to the wrongfulness of US actions over there, using increasingly creative ways to get the word to the people here at home. Their efforts reflect a tremendous faith in Americans. The idea is that if Americans are confronted with the truth, they will not turn away, but will stop the war.

Although "Chicago Occupied" was made before the latest scandal developed, regarding the Blackwater mercenaries in Iraq, it sheds some light on that situation. Blackwater is accused of randomly shooting at civilians who have pulled over to allow the US convoys to go by. Apparently its not a few loose cannons, or an isolated incident, but done routinely, as policy. The world over people don't really mind pulling over when the the flashing blue lights race by, with nary a bad thought or negative attitude towards the authorities when we do so. But if the cops randomly shot as us as they careened by, we'd all get restive real quick. Putting aside for a moment the question of whether the US should be in Iraq, it is a legitimate question to ask "Are American soldiers and the US-hired mercenaries in Iraq there to pacify the Iraqis, or to bully and incite them?" Is this a new and very bad definition of "making war," where we keep the war going (and therefore profitable) by mistreating the Iraqis until they HAVE to resist? In "Chicago Occupied" we see American veterans, returned from Iraq, trying to bring a message to the American people about what they are actually doing to the Iraqis.

Iraq Veterans Against the War
http://www.ivaw.org

"Voice of the Vet #1"

This short snippet is the first in an ambitious series the PepperSpray video collective is developing based on interviews conducted with veterans at the Veterans For Peace national convention. In this one Hart Viges, who served with the 82nd Infantry, tells the story of why the citizens of Falluja were angered at the US occupying forces, who had taken over a school in that city to use as their headquarters. When the Iraqis demonstrated out front, asking for their school back so the kids could return to classes, the American forces opened fire on the demonstrators, killing 15 and wounding many more. It was this incident, Viges feels, that turned the city of Falluja against the Americans, which resulted in the death of the four Blackwater mercenaries a short time later.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• IVAW
• Iraq
• Chicago

[nricco]

I did not realize, that this is a full blown war. i was under the impression it was a liberation of the oppressed people of Iraq. Sneaky, isn't it how, in violation of your constitution, you can drop megatons of explosives without a declartion of war. NOT EVEN HITLER DID THIS. History will show the truth. Please do not misinterpret this as anti- American, quite the contrary. I like americans, but I dislike war.

[WAthebest]

Oh shut the fuck up! you don't represent America. You represent the cover up of what our Government and Media want Americans to see. Go get educated!! PLEASE. Do yourself a service....

[sniper161718]

Fucking liberals. You hate your country and its soldiers so much move to Iraq or the Stan. See how much they appreciate your help. Douchebags. If you don't serve in the military or haven't been there yourself you have no right to judge. You're the same people that bitch at cops when you see them beating some scumbag that just pulled a gun on them.

[13ou812]

if you are homeless and will work,we will fed you and give you somewhere to stay,you must have peace in your heart 870 488 5040 God bless

[agent4051]

@boon61606 That part about the group I like.

Also unless your drafted or conscripted I believe you have no right to be a conscientious objector, if you dont want to fight then dont join.

[boon61606]

@agent4051 ivaw actually supports service men and woman's rights, every thing from making sure that vets get all the benefits from the va to assist them in there healing process to help them find jobs, or even file the necessary paper work to become a (CO) Conscientious Objector

[boon61606]

0811 3/12 lima 29palms 08-11 for a long time i figured the US was right, but the biggest thing iv recognized is that me and all of my friends grew up in the same area with parents taht all did simular paying jabs, and when we became of age we eather ended up in prision in the millitary or in thousands of dollars of debt for seeking higher education,,, i feel raising awareness that 1 what war is, and 2 that the war on "terrorism" is still going on speaks for its self , make brews no bombs

[agent4051]

I bet all of these "vets" were in non-combat arms. I bet they never left their FOB.

[DevilsDomain]

I think it's great these people are doing this, people need to wake up.

[PapGripDezi]

I love IVAW

[kangaldogs0331]

@nricco I don't get this video. You have a bunch of non-infantry talking about war. MP's, Combat Engineers, etc. Interview some infantry Raider Marines. If you couldn't pull the trigger of that SAW on a guy with an RPG, you should be executed as a traitor. That guy probably killed Marines. Why did you join the military?

[kangaldogs0331]

I am a veteran of Somalia and Iraq. You people digrace the uniform and this great country. You had the option of joining, you were not forced. If you disagreed then why join. The media always alters the truth. If you were gullable enough to believe this was a liberation thing then you're just dumb. Give me comments from a frontline active duty Marine, Not wannabe tough guys. You idiots voted in the current president & now we are broke going broker. Thanks my grandkids appreciate the debt.